In school, we were taught that Christopher Columbus "discovered" "America" on 12 October 1492.
During my elementary school years, we got the day off on 12 October. Then, around the time I was beginning adolescence, "Columbus Day" was moved to the second Monday of October. So it is observed today.
As the story goes, he set sail for India. Instead, he landed somewhere between Port-au-Prince and Santo Domingo. Thus, he didn't even make it to what we call America (i.e., the continent) today.
What I have never understood, though, is why we have a holiday for a guy who got lost.
And, as an Italian American, I don't know why he's a source of pride for us. I mean, we have Michelangelo, Galileo, Leonardo, Raphael, Dante, Bocaccio, Cassini (OK, he turned French), Marconi and all sorts of other folks who distinguished themselves in every imaginable field. Heck, we even have great fashion designers. I'd rather have a day for Armani or even Versace--or, of course, any number of Italian cyclists.
All right, I'll shut up and go for a ride--and enjoy my lasagna afterward!
During my elementary school years, we got the day off on 12 October. Then, around the time I was beginning adolescence, "Columbus Day" was moved to the second Monday of October. So it is observed today.
As the story goes, he set sail for India. Instead, he landed somewhere between Port-au-Prince and Santo Domingo. Thus, he didn't even make it to what we call America (i.e., the continent) today.
What I have never understood, though, is why we have a holiday for a guy who got lost.
And, as an Italian American, I don't know why he's a source of pride for us. I mean, we have Michelangelo, Galileo, Leonardo, Raphael, Dante, Bocaccio, Cassini (OK, he turned French), Marconi and all sorts of other folks who distinguished themselves in every imaginable field. Heck, we even have great fashion designers. I'd rather have a day for Armani or even Versace--or, of course, any number of Italian cyclists.
All right, I'll shut up and go for a ride--and enjoy my lasagna afterward!
